NACD Comments on FDA's Sanitary Food Transportation Proposal

ARLINGTON, Va. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its proposed rule titled "Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food." The proposed rule would establish requirements for shippers, carriers by motor vehicle and rail vehicle, and receivers engaged in the transportation of food to use sanitary practices to ensure the safety of the food they transport.

In its comments, NACD expressed support for the FDA's exclusion of shelf-stable packaged foods from the requirements under the proposed rule. Stated NACD Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Jennifer Gibson, "Shelf-stable foods, including food ingredients and food additives, fall within the general definition of foods regulated by the FDA. As the proposed rule affirms, shelf-stable food is not potentially adulterated during transportation because it is not exposed to the environment; therefore, the FDA rightfully designates this category of food exempt from this proposed rule."

Continues Gibson, "NACD members continue to use best practices concerning cleaning, inspection, maintenance, loading and unloading of, and operation of vehicles and transportation equipment to ensure that food grade materials are transported under the conditions and controls necessary to prevent contamination and other safety hazards."

NACD President Eric R. Byer said, "We applaud the FDA's decision to exclude shelf-stable foods from its proposal. NACD stands ready to work with the agency to improve safe food transport practices and encourages a common sense approach that ensures businesses are not burdened by unnecessary red tape."

NACD and its nearly 430 member companies are vital to the chemical supply chain, delivering products every eight seconds to over 750,000 end users. NACD members are leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of Responsible Distribution, established in 1991 as a condition of membership and a third-party verified management practice. For more information, visit www.NACD.com.